Arts

National Gallery appoints Kengo Kuma for £350 million wing

London's National Gallery has appointed Kengo Kuma and Associates to design a new £350 million wing, part of a £750 million development program. The project, which will be built on the site of St Vincent House, aims to enhance visitor experience with new public spaces and will increase the gallery's exhibition area by over 15%. The extension is expected to be completed in the early 2030s.

Rauschenberg Foundation sells Captiva Compound for $45 million

The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation has sold the 22-acre Captiva Compound in Florida for $45 million to South Seas, a resort that already owns over 300 acres on the island. The sale has provoked backlash from the Captiva Civic Association, which criticized it as a 'monumental betrayal' of the local community and Rauschenberg's legacy, citing concerns over environmental sustainability and the impact of new development on the island's fragile ecosystem.

Holocaust Museum Employees Claim Self-Censorship During Trump Era

Two former employees of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum allege that the institution altered its programming and language to mitigate potential backlash from former President Trump. The claims suggest a pattern of self-censorship aimed at avoiding controversy during his presidency.

National Theatre Premieres Play on Slavery Legacy

The National Theatre in London has premiered a new play titled 'The Authenticator,' which examines the legacy of slavery in England through the narrative of a Black academic tasked with authenticating 18th-century journals. The production aims to confront the troubling aspects of the past while engaging with contemporary themes.